Spring 2014 Election

Big Foot voters pass referendum

WALWORTH—Voters in the Big Foot Union High School District said Tuesday they’re willing to commit $990,000 per year for five years to enhance programming, provide a safer environment and maintain and enhance facilities.

Tuesday’s referendum is a reversal for the district, where voters last year narrowly defeated a referendum that sought funding for educational support provisions required by the state.

According to information provided by the district, exceeding the revenue cap for the next five years will have little effect on the overall tax levy. That’s because the district recently retired debt service of $1.2 million per year from a referendum that passed in 1998.

“We worked really hard this time to reach out to our public in a lot of different ways,” said District Administrator Dorothy Kaufmann. “We spoke to small groups, large groups, individuals, anyone we could to get our message out.

“We were still answering people’s questions (Monday) night.”

Passage of the referendum will have little effect on the district’s tax rate for the next five years because of the retirement of the previous debt, Kaufmann said.

The five-year plan would:

-- Hire two teachers in math and science.

-- Hire an interventionist for at-risk students.

-- Upgrade computers and software.

-- Purchase SMART Boards.

-- Upgrade computer servers and support hardware.

-- Upgrade technology education equipment.

-- Update the auditorium.

-- Provide a new outdoor concession building and ticket booth.

-- Replace the crown on the football field.

-- Resurface gym floors and update those facilities.

-- Replace school vehicles.

-- Construct a new salt storage building.

Kaufmann said the board in coming weeks would start outlining its priorities.